I have often wondered what paradise would have been like
had Adam and Eve not brought sin into the world. What it would have been like
to walk in a garden built just for me. The beauty I am sure is indescribable
the most indescribable is being able to walk with a perfect God every single
day. To have him seek me out...only to just walk with me. When God created us
at the beginning he created 'perfect' beings. God makes no mistakes and trust
me we were flawless. No pain, aches, sorrow, or tears. There was nothing but
light then, no darkness. It was perfect beings in a perfect garden surrounded
by a perfect God. Oh how we have all
fallen from grace, we have lost so much. As His children our desire
should always be to getting back to that place with him. And we will, he just
has a lot of work to do before we can be there again.
Today I encountered a young man that gave me inspiration,
hope, and motivation. As my son and I sat at the drive through waiting on our
fries. We were joking and laughing like we always do. I looked up and I saw him
in a motorized wheel chair his right hand was drawn up to his neck. As he got
close to my vehicle he stopped and looked up at me. He smiled at me and said
"Hi" I immediately was drawn to him. I told him "Hello" he
said "I am so happy" I said "You are?" that is great",
he said "yeah I have a job." He had a polo shirt on with
"Regal" logo on it. I told him he had a dream job and that I would
love to work at a movie theater. He just beamed. But it was not until I told
him "God Bless you" That his face truly, truly shined. He said thank
you, smiled again and moved on. I looked at my son and he looked at me, and it
was this moment that I knew my son learned a lesson no one could ever teach him
but God. I felt God's presence in a way I have never felt him before. It was
like my son and I was surrounded by a kind of love only God can give. I could
not help it tears rose up in my eyes and my son knew right then and there this
is the way we were at the beginning. Not crippled, or broken. Innocent, caring,
loving, and happy. I told my son every single human being could learn from this
young man. Even though he has limitations and challenges and he cannot even
walk for himself he was "happy". He encountered a stranger in a
parking lot and shared that happiness. I have never, ever, encountered a person
out of a wheelchair that beamed with the light of God as this young man did. I
told my son that Satan brought this into the world "sin" what he
deemed to be the death of us all. God is using to give hope and life. Remember
that when life knocks you down, when Satan is on your back heels remember the
young man. Never forget God crossing your path today remember the lesson you
have learned from someone in a wheelchair. Do not pity or feel sorry about this
young man for what is on the outside. God used the inside to show us what true
happiness is.
Today my son and I had a little taste of that long
forgotten paradise. The world may see a crippled man but not me and my son we
saw a small glimpse of that paradise lost, we saw the glory of God.
I ask all of you today pray for yourself, pray that not
only you but everyone will be like him. Pray that we will all be more like
Mike.
© Shannon Wendler